re: Luxottica on 60 Minutes(Posted by guttata on 10/7/12 at 9:07 pm to PRK)

Did they talk at all about how Luxottica also owns Lens Crafters, Sunglass Hut, and Pearle Vision? If not already, they are eventually going to swallow up the Eyemasters and Vision 4 Less. Eventually, Maui and Costa will sell out to Luxottica as well. It's just a matter of time.

I thought he was hilarious. Pure psychopath. He'll tell you everything is the opposite of what it is all day long. He reminded me of Martin Short's chain-smoking lawyer on SNL, except he was smoother.

The answer to Luxottica are places like zenni.com and eyebuydirect.com. Leave it to 60 Minutes to mention online shops in passing and give the name of only one, a shop I've never heard of in the six years I've been buying all my glasses online.

I stopped caring about name brand eye wear just for the sake of the name quite a few years and $ ago. Now, I just look for the sunglasses that actually do what they're supposed to while having the frames that I like.

After owning countless brands, I've found that Costas are the best for my needs. I have extremely light blue eyes which are very sensitive to sunlight or any glare even on cloudy days. They block out so much of the glare, I rarely have to squint. Also have the modified "cat-eye" frames I love.

Standard issue is a website for military that is nothing but Oakley products. They have some nice shades I got mine there before my last deployment. Just google us standard issue, and it willcome up. You have to be military because it requires you to send them a fax or a scan of your military ID for proof of serivce.

It's interesting that the reporter went on about this not being a free market, yet pointed to no barriers to entry. This isn't telecom or railroads, it's friggin sunglasses. My kids could started making and selling glasses if they wanted to.

So Luxotixa is an evil monopoly because they kicked everyone's arse fair and square? Give me a break. If you don't want to pay their ridiculous prices (I do believe they are ridiculous), do like me and buy the cheap crap from Costco.

But let's not hate on them because they are successful participants in what is, in fact, a free market, despite what 60 Minutes says.